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Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ECTB 179-17a, 1999 Jun; :1-32

This study was conducted to evaluate whether paint overspray exposures could be minimized by orienting the parts to be painted. In this study, the effect of part orientation upon pain mist concentrations was studied in a downdraft spray painting booth. The booth had an exhaust trench along the center axis of the booth. Two parts were repeatedly painted: A fender and a bumper. The parts were set on sawhorses on top of this exhaust trench. When the bumper was perpendicular to the exhaust trench, the geometric mean total paint mist concentration increased from 5.5 to 15 COM (p-0.007). This increased exposure may be due to an eddy located under cornices on the side of the booth. When paint overspray is directed into these eddies, the eddy transports the paint overspray to the top of booth, resulting in the contamination of the incoming fresh air. Computer modeling suggests that these eddies can be eliminated by altering the configuration of the booth.